The Browns struggles have extended to their kicker who was lights out last year
The Cleveland Browns have issues on the field and issues with the salary cap. In many ways, those two things overlap in many ways. QB Deshaun Watson has failed greatly but his contract makes it difficult for the Browns to move on from him, no matter what many think.
Last year, K Dustin Hopkins was an amazing find by GM Andrew Berry. In exchange for a seventh-round pick in 2025, Cleveland’s kicker hit 33 of 36 field goals including going eight for eight on long ones over 50 yards.
Berry signed Hopkins to a three-year extension this offseason which put him near the top of the highest-paid kickers in the league.
Like most things for the Browns in 2024, Hopkins has fallen apart this year including missing three field goals in the first half versus the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Before the struggles against the Saints, Hopkins had already missed four field goals this year including three of over 50 yards.
While fans quickly called for the kicker to be released, his contract makes that unlikely.
Waiving Hopkins, assuming he would not be claimed, would more than double his salary cap hit this year and cost dead cap next year. Releasing Hopkins this offseason before June 1st would do the same, bumping his salary cap charge from $2.8 million to $5.67 million.
A post-June 1st release this offseason would bump his cap charge up $684K in 2025 then add about $2 million in dead cap in 2026.
Like Watson, Hopkins’ contract makes him unlikely to be released despite his struggles.